Africa is the continent where the scientific and digital divides are the widest. The MDGs identify the essential role of science and technology for socio-economic transformation. Investments in African scientific capacities have not been prioritized and the continent is loosing some of its best scientific and technical expertise to other regions. It is in this context, that the Africa Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action was developed, consolidating the AU Commission and NEPAD programmes related to science and technology capacity building, knowledge production and technological innovation.

The MDGs also identify information and communication technologies (ICTs) as key enablers for poverty reduction and growth. Although ICTs are multi-sectoral tools for socio-economic development, a dedicated coherent strategy needs to be implemented in order to develop an inclusive information society in Africa. It is on these principles, and in the context of the World Summit on Information Society, that the African Regional Action Plan for Knowledge Economy (ARAPKE), an AU initiative, was developed.

Space applications provide, by their very nature, an effective platform to address problems from a regional perspective. The use of space science for development in Africa presents considerable opportunities, and there is a need to establish institutional arrangements to enable Africa to tap their benefits. Space-based systems can play a key enabling role in the attainment of Africa's sustainable development objectives and contribute to the monitoring of climate change.

Bridging the digital and scientific divide within African countries and between Africa and other regions, as well as fostering cooperation on space applications and technology to support Africa's sustainable development objective underlie the Africa-EU Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space.

• 2nd Action Plan 2011-2013